Where is Shedden ON?

       Yes, Shedden is a real place not all that far from where I live: it lies about 23 km south of London.  As I was looking for a picture one day, I came upon their ‘town’ sign although they are considered a hamlet.  The reason the sign stuck out to me is because it said, “Rhubarb capital of Ontario, Slow down! and listen to the rhubarb grow”.  Of course my first thought was that I love rhubarb- it is my favorite vegetable- yes, it is considered a veggie.  That made me wonder if they have a rhubarb festival and brought me to my second thought.

       Just where is Shedden anyway?  Research indicates it is a small hamlet, although I can’t find an actual population.  It is reported to have: a public library, a medical clinic, a volunteer-based fire hall, and a jujutsu dojo.  (No grocery store?)  And this year is the 21^st anniversary of the annual Rosy Rhubarb Festival.  Ooo, just imagining rhubarb pie with or without strawberries, rhubarb bread, jam, sauce, cake, and all the other treats they might have.  Yum!

       It sounds like a great ‘quiet little town’ to go visit someday especially on festival weekend.  Of course, it is also known for something far more sinister.  In April of 2006, the bodies of eight men were found in a farmer’s field outside of town.  I can’t imagine how difficult it was for the town to put such a thing behind them and move beyond all the chaos caused by it, but then to realize that when people look up your little town, that information is right there for the whole wide world to see.

       That’s how it seems sometimes in our own lives.  We all have pasts: some are full of all kinds of outward misbehaviour or sinfulness, while others led quiet, inwardly sinful lives (that was me), and a rare few were mostly good inside and out.  Still- we all have pasts.  The thing is, when we give our hearts and lives to the Lord, He doesn’t hold our pasts against us, and He doesn’t remind us of them to make us feel bad.

As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.  Ps. 103:12 (all MKJV)

If You will keep in mind iniquities, O Jehovah, who shall stand, O Lord?  Ps. 130:3

Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity and passes by the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not keep His anger forever, because He delights in mercy.  Mic. 7:18

For His merciful kindness is great toward us…  Ps. 117:2

       The Lord removes our transgressions from us an inestimable amount, like we have a clean slate with Him.  We could not stand before a holy God if He did not do that for us, for we are all sinful creatures who struggle daily with the flesh.  Why does He pass by our sins?  The Lord loves us and is mercifully kind toward us.  His longsuffering toward His people over the millennia and the sacrificial death of His Son proves His love for us.  God doesn’t see our wicked pasts when He looks at us- He sees the blood of His Son- the blood that makes us clean*.

Blessed be the name of Jehovah!

*Ps. 51:7; Rom. 3:25; 5:9; Eph. 1:8; Heb. 10:12; 1Jh. 1:7; Rev. 1:7